against the grain
English
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against the grain
- /əˈɡɛnst ðə ɡɹeɪn/
phrase
- Preventing a smooth, level surface from being formed by raising the nap of the wood or causing larger splinters to form ahead of the cutting tool below the cutting surface.
- Contrary to what is expected; especially, of behavior different from what society expects. By going against the grain and going to work nude, you've made yourself a laughing stock.
- Unwillingly, reluctantly; contrary to one's nature. It went much against the grain with him.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see against, the, grain. In all ordinary processes of grinding, the friction of the rapidly revolving millstones against the grain, or even of the stones against each other, develops a large amount of heat, so that the crushed wheat comes from the stones quite hot
Translations
Every language
prep_phrase woodworking
| Français | à contre-fil |
|---|
prep_phrase contrary to what is expected
| Español | a contramano |
|---|---|
| Português | contra a maré, contra a corrente |
| Français | à contre-courant |
prep_phrase unwillingly, reluctantly
| Português | a contragosto |
|---|---|
| Français | à contre-cœur, à son corps défendant |
| Deutsch | gegen den Strich, unwillig, widerwillig, gegen die Natur von jemandem, widerstrebend |
| Русский | не по нутру́ ne po nutrú, против шерсти protiv šersti |
Talk about this word "against the grain." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/against%20the%20grain. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. against the grain. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/against%20the%20grain "against the grain." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/against%20the%20grain.Cite this
@misc{against_the_grain_2026,
title = {against the grain},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/against%20the%20grain},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
